Damien Minton Gallery

View some work in motion:

[youtube width="300" height="225"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD2I7RyZkv0&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

As a child my introduction to myths and fairy tales was essentially through television. My gods and goddesses, heroes and villains came from old Hollywood movies and American television shows.

There were heroes and villains in television programs such as The Persuaders, The Man from Uncle, The Untouchables and Superman. There were Hollywood actors such as Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart who were continually cast as archetypal figures: the love goddess and the cynical but noble hero. Heroes were also to be found in animation with American/Japanese characters such as Gigantor and Astro Boy. I loved Astro-Boy but thought it very unfair that Astro-Girl could not fly and didn’t seem to do anything ‘brave’.

Television also brought factual narratives into my childhood. I have early memories of my mother jumping in front of the television during a News Broadcast. I did not understand what the Vietnam War was, but as I watched the look on my mother’s face and the flickering light of the television screen through her skirt, I knew that it was something horrific. I also watched the Moon Landing and held my breath as Neil Armstrong took his ‘giant step for mankind’ apprehensive about what might happen as he stepped onto the moon surface.

While preparing for this show I acquired many toys that were made during the 60’s based on both popular culture and historical events. I have used the toys in this exhibition to create characters and new versions of classic myths and fairy tales. These works often have a dark and ironic edge to them but I hope that they also convey a sense of wonder.

The works are operated by hand-made mechanics and music-box movements. Turn a handle, wind the music-box, and watch a femme fatale dance or an astronaut spin into eternity.

Biography

2006-2010Nepean TAFE, Drawing Teacher 2008Sydney University,Life Drawing Workshop,Continuing Education 2004-2005University of Western Sydney,Lecturer in Drawing 1989-1997UWS, Lecturer in Drawing, Painting & Foundation Studies 2000-2002Nepean TAFE,Drawing Teacher 1994-1996Nepean TAFE, Drawing Teacher

Academic Qualifications

1991Master of Creative Arts University of Wollongong 1986-8Bachelor of Arts,Visual Arts,UWS(graduated with distinction) 1985Art Certificate,St George TAFE

Awards and scholarships

1991Australian Post Graduate Course Award, University of Wollongong

Solo exhibitions

2010Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ 2008Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney, ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’ 2007Rex-livingston art dealer, Sydney, Music Box Assemblage 2006Rex-livingston art dealer, Sydney, Mechanical photomontage 1993Crawford Gallery, East Sydney 1992Technology Centre, University of Wollongong

Selected group exhibitions

20011The Golden Age, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery 2009Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney 2009Finalist, Fisher’s Ghost, Contemporary Art Prize, Campbelltown Arts Centre 2009Finalist, Manning Art Prize (Highly Commended), Manning Regional Gallery, Taree 2009‘Mini-works’ Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor 2008Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney 2008(December) Postcards III, John Paynter Gallery, Newcastle 2007Another Little Piece of my Heart, Penrith Regional Gallery 2007Rex-livingston art dealer, Sydney, Group Show 2006Rex-livingston art dealer, Sydney, Group Show 2005Rex-livingston art dealer, Sydney, Group Show 2004UWS, Staff Exhibition, Space YZ, UWS 1996Nepean TAFE Staff Exhibition, Trapezium Gallery 1995Concerns beyond the Perimeter, Sydney Fringe Festival, Nepean Art House 1994Seeing Voices Hearing Visions, Nepean Art House 1993No Angels No Trumpets, Space YZ, UWS 1990Variations, New England Regional Art Museum 1988-9EMR Gallery, Redfern NSW 1988Graduation Exhibition, Nepean College of Advanced Education 1988Images, Penrith Regional Gallery